Carl Lewis Bardwell, 85, of Ponchatoula, LA, entered through the gates of glory Thursday, October 10^th, 2024, to be with his Lord and Savior. His life’s journey began January 11, 1939, when he was born to Alfred C. Bardwell and May Belle Hudgins Bardwell, in Ponchatoula. He spent 40 years in the Education System as a Teacher in both Louisiana and Mississippi. Carl honorably served his country in the United States Navy, Submarine Division, and was a member of the Submarine Veterans Association of Slidell, LA. He was a loving husband to his wife of 60 years, Edith, until her death, and he continues to be a faithful father, grandfather and great grandfather. Carl had a love for the outdoors, fly fishing and going camping with many amazing friends were two of his favorite pastimes. He was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church. Carl will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Edith Holden Bardwell; his parents; twin sons, Douglas and Dudley Bardwell; and siblings, Calvin, Percy, Nelson, James, Milton, George, Alice, Lillian, Agnes, and Sarah.

He is survived by his daughter, Monica Hutson and husband, Lance, and his nephew, whom he considered a son, Dennis K. Bardwell; three grandchildren, Jordan Hutson Threadgill and husband, Jacob, Emily Hutson, and Mackenzie Hutson; and three great grandchildren, Hadley Hayden Threadgill, Bexley Grace Hutson, Hutson Claire Threadgill; honorary grandchildren, Amy Bush and husband, Jason, April Bardwell, Steven Bardwell and wife Shannel; and honorary great grandchildren, Tyler, Jayla, Colton, and Zoey.

The funeral service for Carl Bardwell will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 16, at Jerusalem Baptist Church with burial in Cooper Cemetery. Friends may come for a time of visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

The family would like to thank North Oaks Medical Center, North Oaks Rehabilitation and Hood Memorial Hospital Staff for their care of Mr. Carl.

The funeral service for Jerold Lee Kepper will be 2 p.m., Thursday, October 10, at Riverwood Family with burial in Hillcrest Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of the service at Riverwood.

Mr. Kepper, 84, of Summit, MS, died October 7, 2024, in McComb, MS. He was born July 9, 1940, to J.O. “Bubba” Kepper and Annie “Cassie” Short Kepper. He was a graduate of Mars Hill High School.

Jerry had many jobs over the years and never met a stranger.  All of his jobs involved selling and dealing with the public because that was his gift.  He worked as a finance manager at EZ Finance, a loan officer at First Bank, he sold cars at many different dealerships around the McComb area and after he retired, he drove a school bus.  He loved building relationships and getting to know people.

Jerry was a loving father and grandfather.  He loved spending time outdoors hunting and fishing, especially with Andy and his grandsons and all of their friends.  He always had time to go hunting and fishing with his family and friends and made countless trips back and forth to Winnfield over the years to make sure he didn’t miss any ball games or graduations or anything his grandsons were involved in.  He loved to socialize at the hunting camp and loved telling stories about his many adventures over the years.   He became Paw Paw to the entire family in 1991 when his oldest grandson Drew was born.  Paw Paw always took the time to get to know the friends of his sons and his grandsons and loved giving them all a hard time.   Everybody that ever met him has a story about Jerry.  

He is preceded in death by his wives, Barbara Kepper and Mary Jo Kepper; daughter, Melanie Kepper Pezant; great granddaughter, Landry Kepper; brothers, Dudley Kepper, J.O. Kepper, and Hewitt Kepper; and sisters, Dorothy Palmer, Nellie Kepper, and Winnie Rester.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Lisa (Thornton) Kepper; grandsons, Drew Kepper, Brady Kepper (Cassidy), and Payton Kepper.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453.

Graveside service for Wanda Jane Childs will be 11 a.m., Friday, October 11, at Magnolia City Cemetery.

Mrs. Wanda Jane Overstreet Childs, 68, of Wesson, MS, died October 8, 2024, at Silver Cross Nursing Center in Brookhaven. She was born in Lynchburg, VA, March 21, 1956, to Brady Gray Overstreet and Catherine Brister Overstreet.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Luther David Childs; son, Jeffery Scott Rollins; and her parents, Brady and Catherine Overstreet.

She is survived by her children, Dale Rollins (Samantha) and Lance Rollins (Kimberly); sisters, Debbie Lockett (John) and Cathy Lamberth (Alan); five grandchildren, April Rollins, Kris Herring, Brittany Rollins, Brady Rollins, and David Rollins; and two great grandchildren, Hunter Rollins and Atticius Herring.

The Rollins family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff and nursing department of Compassus and Silver Cross for their excellent care of Mrs. Childs.

Kary Warrner Prather, 62, of McComb, died Thursday, October 3, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven, September 1, 1963, to Alton Prather and Patricia Smith Prather. He was a welder by trade.

Kary had a variety of hobbies. He liked playing pool or a good game of cards and listening to his favorite music. Kary enjoyed being in the outdoors. He liked to go hunting and fishing, as well as just caring for his horses and his snakes. Kary’s favorite thing to do was entertain family and friends at his cookouts. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Kary is preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Cheyene LaKota Prather.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Matilda Prather; children, Andy Eitel (Reba), Siera Prather, Haley Blansett; brother, Tony Prather; two grandchildren, Raelyn and Damien; and other friends and family, Brandun “Chopper” Birdsong, Dooder Perdue, Angie Greer, and Jack & Christine Crawford.